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After a spirited 1-1 draw three days earlier against Ryman Premier League side AFC Hornchurch, Leafe went out of the FA Trophy with a disappointing defeat in this replay, conceding two goals in each half, without reply.
Whyteleafe were forced to make a change with giant keeper Rob O’Hara unavailable, reserve stopper Gavin Dilley stepping in for a rare start. The hosts always looked the stronger side, early warning for Leafe coming on eight minutes when Paul Shave headed from a corner, narrowly wide of Dilley’s upright, a feat he repeated ten minutes later, this time latching on to a cross from the right, this time sending the ball inches over the bar.
The home side took the lead on 20 minutes when a free-kick was awarded 25 yards from goal. Influential midfielder Jonathon Hunt hit a magnificent strike into the top corner Leafe very nearly replied immediately when Sam Butler sent a low free-kick in to the area and Paul Scott hit a low shot just wide of the post.
On forty minutes Hornchurch looked to have scored a second goal when another corner was headed against the bar and Mark Goodfellow nodded the rebound home, only to be adjudged offside. The goal did come though, just before the break when Paul Shave met a low cross from the left to fire past Dilley from close range.
Leafe started the second half brightly with Captain Scott lively up front, however it was Shave again who added a third goal on fifty six minutes. The hosts took total control and threatened to run riot with Shave heading narrowly wide once more.
With fifteen minutes to go Leafe substitute Jordan Wilson and Hunt collided and a scuffle broke out. In the melee that followed Daryl Coleman was adjudged to have pushed a Hornchurch player and received his second red card in three days. That Hunt received no caution at all surprised all but the most ardent home supporter!
On 90 minutes Fred Fleming looked to have headed a consolation goal for the visitors; however the linesman was not convinced the ball had crossed the line as keeper Darren Behcet blocked by the post. In injury time pacey forward Wayne Gray scored a fourth goal to wrap things up and complete a night the Leafe will wish to forget in a hurry.
Whyteleafe: Dilley, Goodchild, Coleman D, Fleming, Coleman R, Royston (Platel 60), Ball (Aldous), Sidwell (Wilson), Oakins, Scott, Butler. Sub not used: McDowell