FA County Youth Cup second round: Cambridgeshire under-18s 0 Essex under-18s 3

Essex cruised into round three of the FA County Youth Cup as Cambridgeshire were defeated 3-0, thanks in part to a second-half brace from Solomon Ogunwomoju.

The Barking Abbey youngster netted either side of a brilliant Harry Hart free-kick to propel Essex through to the last 16 of the national knockout competition for the sixth successive season and set-up a home tie with Sussex, to be played before Christmas.

Despite a goalless first half, the opening period wasn’t without opportunities and, although the visiting county enjoyed the better of those chances.

The first opening of the night went the way of the hosts, with Jake Crow’s half-volley well held by Essex goalkeeper Jai Lewis.

Cambridgeshire’s opposite number in goal, Jacob Overall, was also soon called into action, clinging onto Hart’s long-range effort.

Overall’s gloves were warmed again by Max Watters’ drive before Jayde Abraham threaded a good ball through to Godfrey Kambaza, but the Essex forward was denied by an excellent tackle from Crow.

At the other end, a curling 25-yard free kick from Cambridgeshire’s Jack Jefferson brought a good diving intervention from Essex stopper Lewis.

Essex then grabbed the lead two minutes after the break, when a slip by the home side in the middle of the park saw the ball break to Ogunwomoju, who surged forward and slid a shot inside the far post.

Minutes later, the visitors came close to a second with Ogunwomoju’s dead ball bouncing off the top of the crossbar.

An opportunity for the home side later on saw Crow head inches wide following Daniel Anderson’s corner but, in the 60th minute, Essex’s lead was doubled as Hart curled home an exquisite 25-yard free kick.

Essex were now well on top and Watters crashed a low, angled effort against the foot of a post before Ogunwomoju’s cross saw Abraham’s header brilliantly saved by Overall. Progress was sealed 20 minutes from time. Abraham sprinted clear on the right flank before unselfishly pulling the ball back for Ogunwomoju to slot in for 3-0.

Cambridgeshire still showed some fight, however, and struck the goal frame themselves as substitute Karl Edwards’ shot struck a post, but Essex encountered few other problems as they successfully negotiated their way to Round Three.