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Aldershot Town 2-0 Chelmsford City, Tuesday 21st November 2006, The Recreation Ground, Kick-Off 7:45pm, F.A. Cup sponsored by E.ON First Round Proper Replay.
City gallantly bowed-out of the F.A. Cup at the Recreation Ground having fought all the way in the tie against their Nationwide Conference opponents. Jeff King's men deservedly lapped-up the applause of the large away following after another more than adequate display against a side two divisions above them in the pyramid. Nine coach loads of supporters ventured to Hampshire in search of an upset, with hundreds more travelling independently and the first half performance of the team was boosted by the vocal Chelmsford support. Kezie Ibe had been selected in the lone striker's role ahead of Jason Hallett and he was effective in holding the ball up with his back to goal before turning and combining well with Mario Noto. Though it was pacey young winger Ricky Holmes who first made a nuisance of himself, ranging in from the right wing to see his attempted centre blocked on 14 minutes. Shortly afterwards the Shots tested Richard McKinney in the City goal with a shot on the turn from long-haired midfielder Mark Molesley on the edge of the box which was collected low down. Mid-way through the half Noto was in the thick of the action once more, firstly dropping his direct free-kick narrowly wide of the foot of the post then freeing himself of his marker on the right before slamming the ball into the net support beyond the near-side upright. The threat of Aldershot at the other end was always simmering ready to strike, with a close shave arriving in the 31st minute as a lob from John Grant left McKinney floundering and Steve Ward was on hand to clear to safety close to the goal line. Seconds later ex-Wimbledon front-man Marcus Gayle headed narrowly over after a right-wing delivery. Fiston Manuella was in City's colours against his old team and he could have breached the Shots' rearguard with a curling long ranger that flew over from a Holmes lay-off though the chance of the half fell to Noto just before the whistle. Holmes dribbled at a home defender who continued to back-off then he passed inside to Ibe. This was followed by a successive knock to Noto in space ten yards out and he frustratingly cleared the goal frame. At the start of the second half, Hallett replaced Spencer Knight and switched with Ibe who moved to the left wing. Darren Barnard struck a free-kick just wide and the lively beginning continued as one of the Assistant Referees left the field injured, meaning Fourth Official Mr Sheldrake had to take-on his role running the line. Attacking the opposite end to where the segregated away supporters were housed, City were less effective after the break with Aldershot taking full advantage. Seven minutes into the second half a cruel penalty was awarded against Ben Chenery for a suspected handball which was converted comfortably by former Chelsea defender Darren Barnard to McKinney's left. In the 66th minute Chelmsford were near to a leveller with Holmes breaking away from the defence to execute a strike along the ground which 'keeper Nikki Bull picked-up. However the final ten minutes will largely be remembered for a handful of Shots efforts which began as a tantalising low ball was bravely touched away from the feet of Gayle at the far post by the grounded McKinney. On 80 minutes the tie was all over thanks to a second home strike. City failed to clear their lines on the left side of defence and the bobbling delivery that resulted was finished at the far post by John Grant. Two minutes later Hallett attempted to get his team back in the game by swerving an effort from long range at Bull though Ryan Williams did the same for the hosts, ramming towards McKinney who dealt with the shot. Ultimately this night was going to belong to Aldershot who now have a golden chance to reach the Premiership clubs in Round Three, though Chelmsford exited the Cup with their heads held high having more than matched their Conference counterparts for large periods of the two matches which can only have breathed positives into City's season. City: 1 Richard McKinney Aldershot Town: Nikki Bull, Dean Smith, Darren Barnard, David Lee, Ricky Newman, Rhys Day, Louie Soares, Mark Molesley, Marcus Gayle, John Grant, Ryan Williams. Subs: Ryan Scott, Phil Anderson, Joel Grant, Ben Harding, Louis Wells. Bookings: City: Duffy (35, foul), Chenery (55, handball), Holmes (60, dissent), Manuella (62, dissent). Aldershot: Barnard (4, foul), Day (39, foul), Bull (88, time wasting). Referee: Mr Roger East. Assistant Referees: Mr S.A. Child and Mr M.T. Rushton. Fourth Official: Mr D. Sheldrake. Attendance: 2,731. City Man of the Match: Ben Chenery. |
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