LITTLE Oakley’s footballers are through to the next round of the Essex Premier Cup.

The Acorns beat Herongate Athletic 2-1, in a third-round contest at the Memorial Ground.

Michael Palmer netted both goals and their reward is a home tie against Shenfield.

“Last week was a good test for us,” said joint-boss Paul Sadler.

“We enjoy playing in this competition as you never really know what you’re going to be up against and this match was no different. “The blustery conditions didn’t help but both teams played some decent football.

“It was a match where neither side could afford to slip up and it went right to the wire, where we got the winner in the last five minutes.

“Herongate then threw everything at us, which tested the resolve of our defence, but they stood up well to the challenge.

“We now have home advantage in the next round and a quarter-final is at stake, so we have everything to play for.”

Oakley have no game tomorrow, because of the Border League representative team being in FA Carlsberg Inter League System Cup action against Jersey.

Six Acorns players are due to be involved.

The next first-team game, the following weekend, will be their toughest of the season so far, at Gas Recreation.