LITTLE Oakley suffered a 4-0 defeat at high-flying Takeley in their latest Essex Senior League match, writes LARRY DOBKIN.

With several key members of the Acorns team missing and a first-half sending off, the visitors were rarely a threat to Takeley.

Oakley fell behind after five minutes when Charlie Allum coolly placed a shot under keeper Michael Betts, after Wood was unable to stop a ball through the centre of the defence.

Takeley almost doubled their lead when Coby Miles broke down the wing and cut into the centre before hitting a long-distance shot that beat Michael Betts but struck the bar and was cleared.

Oakley almost levelled when a ball out of defence allowed Rowe to run at the Takeley defence and release a perfect pass for Mills who seemed destined to score but fired wide of the target.

The game was a little scrappy but had lots of action and Takeley almost made it 2-0 when Jamal Obeng's cross was met by Jack Mitchell who had time to pick his spot but headed wide.

However, ten minutes before half-time Oakley were reduced to ten men when Adi Cant was sent off after flying into a tackle with both feet off the ground and catching Powell.

And things got even worse for the Acorns when Jack Mitchell doubled Takeley's lead when he netted after a cross was headed back across goal.

The second half started with a half chance for Dan Rowe who, after a penetrating run through the centre, saw his powerful shot go wide.

The game then became a little fragmented, with the bulk of the possession belonging to Takeley.

The hosts made it 3-0 when Connor Clarke passed the ball into the corner of the net, after a pass was cut back from the goal-line to the edge of the Oakley area.

The game was now finished as a spectacle and looked like a large score was likely.

With gaps appearing on Oakley’s left-hand side where they had failed to get to grips with the missing Cant, a long ball out of the defence pin pointed Coby Miles in acres of space.

The impressive defender controlled the ball continuing his run to goal and placed the ball passed Betts, to make it 4-0.

Takeley were also awarded a soft penalty before the end but Betts made a fine double save to ensure Oakley's margin of defeat was not greater.

Oakley player of the match was Betts, who worked hard and made many fine saves.