|
|
|
|
A.F.C. Sudbury 2-1 Chelmsford City, Tuesday 10th October 2006, King's Marsh Stadium, Kick-Off 7:45pm, Westview Cup Third Round.
City crashed out of the Westview Cup to Division One North high-fliers A.F.C. Sudbury, who emerged victorious against a much-altered Clarets eleven. Jeff King made no less than nine changes to his team to take-on the Suffolk side, including new central defender Bryan Glover who made his debut in a Claret shirt after previously playing for Leyton Orient and Crawley Town. In the Sudbury line-up there were familiar faces in the back four with former Chelmsford defenders Shane Wardley and Brett Girling lining-up in yellow. The hosts also gave a first run-out to experienced journeyman Nicky Smith in the centre of the park. From the start the match was played at a frantic pace, with a number of players looking to prove their worth ahead of the weekend's F.A. Cup game. However, unlucky Liam Hopkins found himself once again being replaced as he suffered a knee injury which was enough to see him substituted for Ricky Holmes. Holmes himself was later to endure a bruising challenge from home goalkeeper Nathan Munson but it wasn't enough to prevent him continuing. On 22 minutes, the former Ridgeons League champions took the lead when a right-wing delivery found Tommy Noble low at the far post to guide the ball home from close range. However, this lead was to last just three minutes as Gavin Heeroo struck from outside the box to see his shot float into the top corner past Munson, who was hopelessly rooted to his spot. Chances were created by both sides before Sudbury went back in front four minutes before the interval. Noble was pounced-upon by Peter Smith in the penalty area, resulting in the spot-kick which was coolly dispatched into the bottom corner by skipper David Head. Chelmsford searched for an equaliser after the break and came close on several occasions. But frustration got the better of Stuart Ainsley a minute before the hour mark and he stupidly threw the ball away to earn his second booking, resulting in a dismissal. The numbers were eventually evened-up again a minute from time as Luke Hammond got in a confrontation that warranted his second yellow card but it had no effect on the final score, with Sudbury advancing to the last sixteen. City: 1 Richard McKinney 12 Tony Battersby A.F.C. Sudbury: Nathan Munson, Phillip Boyland, Shane Wardley, Luke Hammond, Brett Girling, David Head, Darren Bethell, Neil Calver, Nicky Smith, Tommy Noble, Paul Betson. Subs: Chris Howlett, Mark Theobald, Chris Cowan, Ashley Skeggs, Steve Day. Bookings: City: Smith, Duffy, Hopkins. A.F.C. Sudbury: Hammond (x2), Calver. Sent Off: City: Ainsley (59, second bookable offence). A.F.C. Sudbury: Hammond (89, second bookable offence). Referee: Mr Wade Norcott (Harlow). Assistant Referees: Mr Tony King (Bow, London) and Mr Paul Faithfull (Loughton). Attendance: 370. City Man of the Match: Richard McKinney. |
|
By Chris
Evans (Picture by Matt Bradshaw)
