Histon make FA Cup exit after defeat to ON Chenecks

Extra preliminary round disappointment for Stutes

Histon suffered a smash-and-grab raid at the hands of ON Chenecks as they were knocked out of the FA Cup in the extra preliminary round.

The Stutes struggled to get into any rhythm in the first half at the Glass World Stadium, and their disjointed performance allowed their opponents the chance to make a bright start.

Brandon Williams seized on a soft pass out of defence to chip Histon keeper Ayden Duffy, but the effort hit the bar.

Histon did go close in the 15th minute as Ed Rolph’s teasing cross was headed wide at the back post by the impressive Joe Sutton.

However, ON Chenecks broke the deadlock on the half-hour.

Histon waited for the referee’s whistle after a challenge in midfield, but, as they froze, Chenecks played on and Ben Diamond capitalised on the hesitancy of the hosts to round the advancing Duffy and then slot into an empty net.

And it proved to be the decisive goal.

Histon dominated the second half in terms of territory and possession, but Chenecks did well to dig deep and produce a gritty defensive performance.

Rolph headed over the bar for Histon, Danny Gould had a fierce shot punched clear by Chenecks keeper Janis Lauskinieks and Sutton saw an effort from the edge of the box clip the top of the bar.

The best chance of the game went to Tommy Wright, but after being put through by Sutton, he fired well wide.

So it left Histon rueing an early exit from the FA Cup.

Histon: Duffy, Wright, Lawton (Weinman, 65), Smith, York, Key, Darling (Carmen, 65), Sutton, Rolph, Bexfield, Gould.

ON Chenecks: Lauskinieks, Betts, Nagy, Nash, Watkins, Lewington, Ogden, Green, Williams (Stewart, 59), Diamond, Tolworth (Caton, 86).

Bookings: Histon – Sutton (foul, 84); ON Chenecks – Ogden (foul, 77), Nash (foul, 90).

Referee: Ian Stewart