With many games being lost to the inclement weather this was one of the few that went ahead, and to be fair the pitch which is situated on a slope was in very good condition.

Rams lined up as follows:
Morris, Cannon (C), Taylor, Greaves, Spencer, Ransome, Meads, Wood, Gunn, Wheeler, Bracci
Subs: Arrowsmith, Galea, Georgiou, Pitts, Reeves

With Harold Wood currently in 5th and Rams in 13th it was always going to be a difficult encounter, however Rams had beaten them earlier in the season at home 2-0 so had hopes that that could be repeated in this cup fixture.

Rams started extremely well eager to make up for last weeks poor showing against Barnston and only an incredible double save from goalkeeper and defender stopped the Rams for taking a very early lead. The home side were awarded a very dubious corner after their centre forward had to leave the field of play after a challenge in the corner. The resulting corner had the Rams in trouble and after a scramble the ball was forced home to give the home side the lead on 12 mins.

This would be a test now to see how they would recover from the setback. It was great to see Rams brushed it aside and went back on the ascendancy, a great shot from distance by Marly Gunn warmed the palms of the keeper and the Rams were winning all of their individual battles across the park.

On 27 minutes the Rams were level, and what an equaliser it was, Will Wheeler received the ball wide on the left, cut inside beating two players and then hit an unstoppable shot from 25 yards that flew into the top corner giving the keeper no chance.

This had the Rams buzzing, their tempo increased further and they really began to dominate proceedings. However they knew that they would need to gain a further advantage before the break as the hosts would have the benefit of the slope in the second half. They finally got their chance minutes before the break. Cannon slipped a ball into the path of Bracci and he was felled in the penalty area. Picking himself up off the floor he stepped forward to take the spot kick - not his best and the keeper pushed the ball away from goal, however Sam Taylor was the first to react and he sent his shot into the far corner of the net 2-1 to Rams on 43 minutes.

There was still time for it to get better for the Rams as they extended their lead on 46 minutes. A great team goal - several passes out from the back and through the midfield culminated in a ball out to Billy Ransome. Totally composed, he flicked the ball over the keeper to give the Rams a well deserved 3-1 lead going into the break.

Rams emerged for the 2nd half with an enforced change. Sam Taylor having to leave the field at the break was replaced by Josh Arrowsmith, who went to right back, with Cannon now switching to the left. The hosts now had the benefit of the slope and just 3 minutes after the break had narrowed the deficit. A difficult ball in from out wide on the Rams right found its way into the 6 yard box where Cannon, under pressure faced with the goal right in front of him, ended up putting the ball in his own net. The deficit was narrowed and the home side were jubilant.

However just 2 minutes later the Rams had restored their two goal advantage. A great through ball found Jacob Meads and he raced clear before slipping the ball past the keeper. Hats off to the home linesman who kept his flag down against the cries of offside from the home side as it was a close call but very good sportsmanship them.

On the hour mark, Rams made a further change with Rich Georgiou entering the fray in place of Marly Gunn who had put in a very strong shift. The home side then went long ball at every opportunity with the slope a real asset. Rams defended well under the barrage from long balls in and also long throws that put the pressure on. That pressure eventually told after a wicked curling ball deep into the box was turned in at the far post by the Home side's skipper. Game on again, 4-3 to Rams 77mins gone.

Rams made further changes, off came Cannon for Pitts and that was shortly followed by Galea for Ransome. Rams continued to look a real threat on the break and Bracci looked as if he had won a stonewall penalty after a fantastic run into the box. But the referee waved it away with the game still delicately poised. Rams made a final change with 10 minutes to go, as on came young Ronnie Reeves for Bracci who had run himself into the ground.

With just a few minutes left on the clock the two substitutes Galea and Reeves combined with Galea crossing a great ball into the box that was nonchalantly finished by Ronnie Reeves for his first goal in a Rams 1st team shirt.

Minutes later and the Ref blew for full time, a 5-3 win for the Rams which for any neutral was a pulsating encounter.

(With thanks to Paul Cannon for the write up)