Tiptree United got their first game of the new year off to a flyer when they demolished Waltham Abbey in the Essex Senior Cup fourth round.

And the unlikely two-goal hero of the night was central defender Ian Fish.

Tiptree boss Neil Farlie confessed: "In the two years I've been in charge here I've never seen him score."

Both sides would have been glad to get this tie out of the way after it had been cancelled no less than six times before due to water-logged and frozen pitches and travel difficulties.

Andrew Brady opened the scoring on eight minutes, converting from close in after excellent work from Dave Barefield.

Tiptree didn't let their foot off the gas and on 16 minutes Danny Rochester went close to doubling the lead when he struck the post after connecting with Steve Wareham's cross.

The second goal eventually came seven minutes before half-time.

Fish capitalised on the melee in the Abbey box and struck the ball home from close range.

Four minutes after the restart Fish grabbed his second as he blasted home Steve Daly's corner.

Poor defending on Tiptree's part allowed the visitors to get a goal back, but it turned out to be a mere consolation as the Jam-makers picked up the momentum.

Holding the ball well and keeping possession Rochester and Barefield proved to be real thorns in the side of Abbey's defence and Barefield was rewarded for his efforts four minutes from time.

Daly's corner was taken short to Brian Mackenzie whose cross to the far post found Barefield free and the pint-sized striker rose well to head the ball in to finish the match off

Published Wednesday, January 15, 2003

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